Meetings

The Committee noted that the debate featured a high level of engagement from Members, and had highlighted the feasibility studies and the arguments around the issue. They agreed to thank the petitioner and close the petition.

NDM8931 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition P-06-1365 Re-open railway lines to connect the north and south of Wales which received 12,936 signatures.

The item started at 15.21

NDM8931 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition P-06-1365 Re-open railway lines to connect the north and south of Wales which received 12,936 signatures.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The Committee has previously agreed to request a debate on this petition once the Bangor-Afon Wen Feasibility Report was available, and Members agreed to honour that commitment. Members noted the Feasibility Report; Traws Link Cymru’s strategic case for reconnecting both Bangor to Afon Wen and Aberystwyth to Carmarthen by rail; and Welsh Government’s published business case for a new Bangor-Carmarthen express coach service as a competitive alternative to rail travel between North and South Wales. The debate would be an opportunity to look at both the Bangon-Afon Wen and Aberystwyth-Carmarthen links and future priorities for infrastructure investment. The Chair would write to the Business Committee to request the debate.

https://trawslinkcymru.org.uk/en/studies-section/#flipbook-df_259/1/

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for clarification about when the feasibility study of the route between Bangor and Afonwen will be published.

Once the feasibility study is published Members agreed to write to the Business Committee to request a debate in the Senedd.  However, should the feasibility study take too long, the agreed approach was to review the position and proceed to request a debate.

The Committee considered the petition and agreed to wait for the Welsh Government’s response to the petition before deciding on the next step to take.